Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2007 October 11

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[edit] October 11

[edit] Yvonne

I recently came across an obituary for a woman named YuVawn. I am presuming this is a variant spelling of the name Yvonne. A google search for YuVawn turned up only 38 hits, all of which were genealogical or obituary entries. Any help you can provide would be appreciated.64.179.37.3 00:32, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

I think you're probably right. Help with what, exactly? I'm unclear on what the question is. --Masamage ♫ 02:14, 11 October 2007 (UTC)
My guess is that the OP is after the origin of the variation, and possibly the reason (ethnicity/language of origin). Not that I know what that might be. Does the family name give you a clue to their ethnic background (if you can give it)? Steewi 03:03, 11 October 2007 (UTC)
Oh, I see. In that case it could be literally anything. The stereotype is that unusual spellings of Western names often belong to people of African descent, but that's just a stereotype. I know a little white girl named Raechyl, and my own middle name is completely made up. Lots of people could have invented the spelling YuVawn independently of each other. I also get hits for Yavonne, Yvon, Yivon, Yevone, Yuvon, etc. etc. --Masamage ♫ 07:26, 11 October 2007 (UTC)
I think that's more of a US stereotype than a western-civilisation stereotype. 130.88.140.43 16:52, 11 October 2007 (UTC)
In France, only recognised names can be registered, which prevents people creating new spellings of names. Yvon is however a recognised male forename. SaundersW 17:05, 11 October 2007 (UTC)
Does the allowed list implicitly include feminine derivatives of listed masculine names? I mean, if Yvon (a variant of Yves) is on the list and Yvonne is not, is Yvonne still allowed? —Tamfang 09:14, 15 October 2007 (UTC)
As it happens, Yvonne is a recognised name. Feminine variants aren't automatically allowed, but you can use hyphenated named like Marie-Pierre where the first part is a feminine name, and the second is masculine, the whole being a feminine name. Equally, Jean-Marie is masc+fem = masc. SaundersW 15:12, 17 October 2007 (UTC)
Probably; Americans are often weirder about that sort of thing. ^^ I just meant 'Western' in terms of where the names come from, which is generally Europe. --Masamage ♫ 19:00, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Water and Chewing Gum

Why does drinking water while chewing gum make the gum harder (or at least feel harder to chew)? 72.189.138.226 02:40, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

I don't have any sources but my bet is that it's due to the rapid cooling of the gum. Dismas|(talk) 02:56, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

someone should do an experiment, drinking WARM water while chewing gum and see if the gum still feels harder. It would cost a lot of money, but would shed light on a vital aspect of human existence —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.182.100.107 (talk) 08:31, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] inverted commas/quotation marks

220.238.41.51 05:36, 11 October 2007 (UTC)–I have a problem with quotation marks not appearing when the appropriate key is hit. All other keys work fine. I hit shift+ " but the " does not appear until I hit the space bar or the next letter. This must be a software problem because I have tried three different keyboards and it happens on each one. Not disastrous but frustrating.05:36, 11 October 2007 (UTC)220.238.41.51

You seem to have answered your own question. If it's a software problem, then reconfigure or change the software. Or are you saying that this happens no matter what software you're using? Try it in a console or shell or at the command prompt -- or whatever your particular OS calls the straightforward typing of a command in text mode, free of any GUI. -- Hoary 07:12, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

You should probably ask this one on the computer ref desk (there is a link at the top-right of this page). Tell them what software you are using (or does it happen in all software?). SteveBaker 13:22, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

I have the exact same problem. I asked about it on the computing ref desk last year; see here. The answers, helpful as they were, didn't help me to correct the problem. Apparently they are called dead keys. --Richardrj talk email 15:48, 11 October 2007 (UTC)
You probably have the keyboard set to international mode. Try pressing apostrophe (') and the letter "o" or "e". If it comes out as ó or é then this is the case. Basically, it's a way for people with US keyboards to enter characters from other alphabets. Check the settings in Control Panel->Keyboards. I'll hunt for a link for more info --Bennybp 03:44, 12 October 2007 (UTC)
Yeah, I've got that too at work where I'm forced to work with bloody msWindows. The 'solution' (at least for XP) is in the panel at the bottom right, where there should be something for languages. In my case a Dutch version of the OS is installed, so it thinks I've got some Dutch keyboard or something that I've never heard of. I put 'solution' between 'scare quotes' because it's temporary. I have to tell put that back several times per day. Typical microsoft shit. "You think you want that? Nah, I know better, I'll change that back for you." Drives me up the wall. The reason is that I know it doesn't have to be like that. At home I use Linux, which does what I tell it to, as a good OS should. DirkvdM 05:24, 12 October 2007 (UTC)
Go to Regional and Language Settings in the Control Panel, open up Text Services and Input Languages from the Language tab, and delete the Dutch keyboard. Or change the key combination for switching keyboards from the default (Alt+Shift) to something that's harder to press by accident. I'm not sure what Microsoft's crime is here. Dead keys aren't their invention. You can't blame them for enabling Dutch input by default on a Dutch version of Windows. The relevant control panel isn't that hard to find. I guess Alt+Shift is a pretty stupid key combination. -- BenRG 12:16, 12 October 2007 (UTC)
Who on Earth would want any keyboard shortcut for that? You set the keyboard once to what you want and then you leave it that way. Anyway, there's no such thing as a Dutch keyboard, afaik. Everyone here uses the standard 101 (aka US) keyboard. So there being an option to set it to something else is one thing but giving it panel item plus a keyboard shortcut and then a stupid one like that is typical ms bullshit. DirkvdM 17:20, 12 October 2007 (UTC)
A lot of things have that as a standard configuration option.. what's wrong with that? --frotht 23:02, 12 October 2007 (UTC)
Yes, configuration. Not toggle. Ie, just once, so no need for a keyboard shortcut. DirkvdM 10:44, 14 October 2007 (UTC)

Bennybp hit the proverbial nail. If I hit apostrophe and then o or e I get the continental symbol but how do I change it? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 58.104.46.101 (talk) 04:08, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

Assuming you have XP, it's under Control Panel -> Regional and Language Options. Under the Languages tab in the box "Text services and input languages", click Details. If it the list already shows only "US" (not United States - International or somthing else), then there is another issue. If it's not listed, add the US keyboard (Language: English, Keyboard Layout: US). Delete the other(s) (it won't let you delete the last layout). If this doesn't make sense, see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306560. But instead of selecting the international keyboard, select the US layout (step 7).

Thanks a lot. The problem is solved after many years. I hope anyone else with a similar problem reads this.

To DirkvdM: I used to change between them all the time. Most of the time I wanted a normal keyboard without the annoyances of dead keys. But once in a while, I wanted to talk to friends or write papers in spanish, requiring the accents. Although a keyboard shortcut might be a bit much, I liked having the system tray icon. :) --Bennybp 22:22, 13 October 2007 (UTC)
Alright, for some it might be handy. But not for most. So it makes sense to build in the option to give this a keyboard shortcut (that's the problem it seems - not the system tray icon). But not as a standard, especially if this annoys so many people. Or else, at least in the system tray icon, give a (right-click) option to set it 'permanently', or rather, turn off the keyboard shortcut. It's a stupid design. Linux has some stupid things too, but nowhere near as many as msWindows. DirkvdM 10:44, 14 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Brisbane City Council Budgets

Hi there

What is Brisbane City Council's (australia) annual fuel and maintenance budget for public transport vehicles, including buses ferries etc? Do you know how this roughly breaks down?

Or any idea where this information is easily available?

Thank you

Brad —Preceding unsigned comment added by 150.101.190.74 (talk) 06:37, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

For very specific information such as this, it's probably simplest to contact Brisbane Council directly via the "contact us" link on their website.--Shantavira|feed me 08:23, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Do eggs keep out of their shells?

Can I take the time Sunday to break and separate the egg whites from, say, 30 eggs, putting them into a bottle to pour from throughout the week, speeding up my morning routine and reducing the hassle/mess? How long would egg whites keep outside of their shells? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 84.0.158.222 (talk) 09:40, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

In the fridge, in a clean vessel they will last a week. Campers used to break eggs into a jar to save weight and breakages. Why not buy dried egg white powder and reconstitute ? Paul

Is it cheaper? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 84.0.158.222 (talk) 12:04, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

Just out of interest, why do you need to seperate the whites? Do you have meringue for breakfast? DuncanHill 12:43, 11 October 2007 (UTC)
Some people only eat egg whites and not the yolks, to cut down on fat (they are basically water and a few proteins). Personally I find it a bit gross of an idea, but hey I don't eat it ;-) --24.147.86.187 13:18, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

no, but that's a good idea! Actually, I want to cut down on cholesterol. 8 eggs a day is huge in cholesterol, but I hear the whites have none. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.182.100.107 (talk) 14:09, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

8 eggs a day?! Why? 130.88.140.43 16:49, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

it's 40 g of protein, a bit over half of what I need per day while trying to build muscle. (i'm a vegetarian, also diabetic so milk's out). any other suggestions for carb-free protein, other than like powdered whey? 81.182.100.107 17:25, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

pickled eggs?213.249.237.169 20:43, 11 October 2007 (UTC)
Maybe peanut butter? - Zepheus <ゼィフィアス> 22:18, 11 October 2007 (UTC)
Isn't that pretty carby? Same for all the other non-meat sources of protein I can think of (soy, beans, cottage cheese)... --Masamage ♫ 22:20, 11 October 2007 (UTC)
Try tofu? Warofdreams talk 02:11, 12 October 2007 (UTC)
That's soy. Come to think, I don't really know about its carb content, but it must have some considering it's a plant. --Masamage ♫ 02:32, 12 October 2007 (UTC)
Now I'm intrigued. Why carb-free? I'd suggest peanuts/peanut milk, but they have about the same amount of carbs as protein, and are quite fatty. 79.65.40.28 16:55, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

You can freeze them too. Frozen egg whites will last for a year, frozen yolks will last for a month or two. Freeze them together and they won't last two weeks, apparently. risk 12:14, 14 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Breathing in small flies

If one were to, for example, cycle through a dense forest or other ecological habitat in which a large population of small flies resided, and were to open their mouth wide and breath normally, would at some point the accumulation of insects entering their mouth and lungs render them dead? Weasly windom price 12:47, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

No. See cough. --Sean 13:53, 11 October 2007 (UTC)
From our "Wikipedia really DOES have an article for everything!" department, may I point out: There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly?
Atlant 16:50, 11 October 2007 (UTC)
This is exactly why we do not post medical advice. Please take it up with Atlant exclusively if you choose to swallow a spider. --Tagishsimon (talk) 21:59, 11 October 2007 (UTC)
I swallowed a fly once. A little girl brought it to me; "See I've caught this fly." I said "Thank you", took it from her hand, put it in m mouth and swallowed. The look on her face was priceless. Ever since I'm her big hero. :)
Point being, I'm still alive. Or were you talking about the flies. Pretty lethal for them, I suppose. DirkvdM 05:38, 12 October 2007 (UTC)
Yes, but have you ever inhaled a fly? X) --Masamage ♫ 02:11, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] different?

what is the difference between the USMC SAMR and the DMR? are there any? --MKnight9989 13:01, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

Effective range, muzzle velocity, caliber, length, etc. What specifically were you looking for? There seem to be a number of differences. See U.S. Marine Corps Designated Marksman Rifle and U.S. Marine Corps Squad Advanced Marksman Rifle. Dismas|(talk) 13:21, 11 October 2007 (UTC)
I was under the impression that the DMR could be a M14DMR or a M16A4DMR. --MKnight9989 13:47, 11 October 2007 (UTC)
Not according to those articles. According to them, the M14 is a DMR and the M16 is the SAMR. Dismas|(talk) 17:59, 11 October 2007 (UTC)
I know what the articles say but I have a book from 2005 stating that a designated marksman equipped with a M16A4w/scope or M14w/scope would be added to each squad. --MKnight9989 13:36, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Relationship between Jimmy Carter and Yasser Arafat

Many years ago I read of a romantic relationship between the brother of Rosalyn Carter and the sister of Yasser Arafat. Does anyone have any information on that? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Rondo10 (talk • contribs) 21:30, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

I can find no public record of this. Rosalyn Carter has two brothers: Murray Lee Smith (a minister) and William Jerrold Smith (an engineer). Arafat has at least two sisters, Yousra Abdel Raouf al-Kidwa and Inam Arafat, and no more than four. The Carter's were definitely on close terms with Arafat in their later years, but it seems unlikely that their respective siblings would have had a relationship at that stage. Rockpocket 00:53, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] The Income Tax and Apportionment

"No capitation, or other direct, tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to the census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken."

That's part of Article 1, section 9 of the US Constitution. But what does it mean? Does it mean that to income tax the federal government has to divide the burden by state in proportion to population? So if there were two states: State A has 2/3 of the population and State B has 1/3 of the population then State A would be expected to contribute to 2/3 of the federal income tax? Is this considered impractical because of disparities of per capita wealth between states?

128.54.77.36 21:33, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

It should be noted that this is superseded by the Sixteenth Amendment, which reads
The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.
That said, I believe that your reading of Article 1 is correct. The amendment article has further information on this point. — Lomn 21:41, 11 October 2007 (UTC)
Also note that before the 16th Amendment, no one was really sure what a "direct tax" was. -- Mwalcoff 23:17, 11 October 2007 (UTC)
And none was ever levied. —Tamfang 09:22, 15 October 2007 (UTC)
Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress got its money by charging the States, rather than their citizens, in proportion to the assessed value of property within each State. This rule naturally led to quarrels over the assessment, and so it was replaced in 1787 by a population rule, since people will tend to migrate from poorer states to richer states if free to do so, and thus to even out the wealth per capita. I may be misremembering but I think it was decided to apportion Representatives according to taxes collected before the assessment rule was replaced by the population rule; the notion of "one man one vote" thus crept in by the side door. But the Second Republic never used that mode of taxation after all. —Tamfang 09:23, 15 October 2007 (UTC)